UDM Update

January 25, 2002

The men's indoor track and field team finished tied for 10th place (15 points) at the Central Collegiate Championship, hosted by Kent State on Saturday (January 26). Junior Angelo Finnie (Detroit, MI/Cass Tech) led the way, placing in two events.

Finnie finished third in the long jump (22' 8") and seventh in the triple jump (45' 5.75"). Other placers included junior Matt Groh (Decatur, MI/Decatur), taking fourth at the shot put (55' 9") and junior Jack Szczepaniuk (Grand Rapids, MI/West Catholic), who finished sixth in the 800 meters (1:54.76).

"These three guys are our leaders and they all did a great job," commented head coach Guy Murray. "They proved they can compete with anyone and were very close to defeating some top-flight athletes."

The men's team will send a partial squad to the Monarch Invitational, hosted by Macomb CC on Thursday (January 31). The team will also send split squads to the Canon IV, hosted by Butler on February 8-9 and the Windsor Team Challenge on February 9.

Junior Kim Hemstreet (Mooretown, ON/St. Patrick's) finished runner-up in the 3000 meter event and freshman Angela Machaj (Stoney Creek, ON/Cardinal Newman) placed in two events to lead the Titans women's indoor track and field team at the Michigan Intercollegiates on Saturday (January 26). Hemstreet clocked in at a time of 10:02.17, finishing 0.97 seconds behind Katie Ryan of host Michigan. Machaj placed third in the weight throw (49' 5.25", a personal record) and fourth in the shot put (41' 6.5").

Overall, UDM placed fifth, scoring 32 points, representing the most points scored at the Michigan Intercollegiates by a Titan team. Michigan won the even twit 175 points.

"Angela lead a great effort by our throwers," said head coach Guy Murray . Machaj improved from eighth to third in the finals of the weight throw. "Mese (Roberts) returned to action, as the whole group competed well. We had all four in the finals of the weight, proving they are competing as we hoped."

Five other student-athletes placed for the Red, White and Blue. Senior Ruthie Cook (Lansing, MI/Waverly), placed fourth in the mile (4:59.07). A pair took fifth place finishes: sophomore Joanna Grandas (Dearborn, MI/Edsel Ford) in the triple jump (35' 9") and freshman Andrea Karpala (Tecumseh, ON/St. Anne's) at the weight throw (47' 4"). Senior Mese Roberts (Holt, MI/Holt) brought home two sixth-place marks in the shot (40' 11") and weight (47' 1"). Freshman Ashley Bauman (Wheelersburg, OH/Wheelersburg) set a personal record with a weight throw of 45' 6.75".

"I am pleased with our effort as a team. This meet is challenging as it gets, and we did a very good job," added Murray.

The women will send a partial team to the Monarch Invitational, hosted by Macomb CC on Thursday (January 31). The full team competes at the Windsor Team Challenge on February 9.

David Taub
University of Detroit Mercy
Sports Information Assistant
(313) 993-1745
(313) 993-1765 (fax)
www.DetroitTitans.com
[email protected]

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